Application of Numerical Modelling and Genetic Programming in Hydrocarbon Seepage Prediction and Control for Crude Oil Storage Unlined Rock Caverns

Abstract

Seepage control is a prerequisite for hydrocarbon storage in unlined rock caverns (URCs) where the seepage of stored products to the surrounding host rock and groundwater can cause serious environmental and financial problems. Practically seepage control is performed by permeability and hydrodynamic control methods. This paper employs numerical modelling and genetic programming (GP) for the purpose of seepage prediction and control method determination for the crude oil storage URCs based on the effective parameters including hydrogeologic characteristic of the rock and physicochemical properties of the hydrocarbons. Several levels for each parameter were considered and all the possible scenarios were modelled numerically for the two-phase mixture model formulation. The corresponding seepage values were evaluated to be used as genetic programming data base to generate representative equations for the hydrocarbon seepage value. The coefficients of determination ( 2 ) and relative percent errors of the proposed equations show their ability in the seepage prediction and permeability or hydrodynamic control method determination and design. The results can be used for crude oil storage URCs worldwide.

Gamma radiation-induced grafting of poly(butyl acrylate) onto ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer for improved crude oil flowability

“…Crude oil, often referred to as the "blood of industry" or "black gold," is a crucial component of the global economy 1 , 2 . However, it is essential to understand that crude oil is a complex mixture containing various substances such as waxes, resins, saturates, asphaltenes, naphthenic, dissolved gases, water, and salts 3 . Among these myriad constituents, waxes, composed mainly of n-alkanes with carbon numbers ranging from 16 to 40, have gained significant attention due to their impact on flow assurance.…”

Migration of Leaked Oil Vapor in Underground Water-Sealed Oil Storage Cavern Considering the Influence of Fractures

“…Low-freezing-point crude oil stored in underground water-sealed oil storage caverns produce and volatilize a large amount of oil vapor during the filling and emptying process, which leads to an 2 of 19 increase in storage pressure in the caverns. When the storage pressure is greater than the water pressure around the cavern, the oil vapor accumulated at the top of the cavern leaks into the surrounding rock and even into the atmosphere, which may lead to potential health, safety, and environmental problems [3]. The surrounding rock of most underground water-sealed oil storage caverns is mainly crystalline rock mass, and the permeability coefficients of the fractures and rock blocks normally differ by several orders of magnitude.…”

“…Considering the effective parameters such as the hydrogeological characteristics of rocks and the physical and chemical properties of hydrocarbons, all possible scenarios of the two-phase mixed model were numerically simulated based on the full factorial design. On this basis, the genetic programming method was used to establish the prediction equation of gas leakage in Iran's unlined crude oil caverns [3]. The migration characteristics of gas under different water curtain pressures and the influence of water curtain pressure on the water seal performance of the cavern were discussed, and the engineering risk was evaluated from the perspective of water sealing [8,9].…”

The Impact of Ethylene Glycol on Droplet Growth Inhibition in Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Emulsions

“…The transportation of crude oil via pipelines is becoming more challenging because of the drop in temperature in pipelines. − Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and comprises waxes, resins, saturates, asphaltenes, naphthenics, dissolved gases, water, and salts . Among all these substances, waxes, which in this case refer to paraffin wax, have become the major hindrance in the transporting of crude oil.…”

“…1−3 Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and comprises waxes, resins, saturates, asphaltenes, naphthenics, dissolved gases, water, and salts. 4 Among all these substances, waxes, which in this case refer to paraffin wax, have become the major hindrance in the transporting of crude oil. This is because paraffin wax tends to precipitate in cold environments and sticks on the walls of pipelines, which in turn causes serious problems in the crude oil transportation.…”